Tang Tao: Providing Scientific Methods and Strategic Guidance for Comprehensively Advancing the Construction of a Beautiful China
The recently published first volume of the Selected Works of Xi Jinping on Ecological Civilization (hereafter referred to as the Selected Works) collects 79 important and foundational works by General Secretary Xi Jinping concerning the construction of an ecological civilization dated between December 2012 and April 2025. These include reports, speeches, addresses, instructions, and comments. The Selected Works closely track the practice of ecological civilization construction in the New Era, focus precisely on theoretical hotspots, and actively respond to issues of broad concern across society. They provide profound answers to a series of major theoretical and practical questions regarding ecological civilization construction in the New Era, systematically reflecting the rich connotations, scientific system, and original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization. This collection serves as an authoritative textbook for the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and specifically Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.
1. Systematically reflecting the rich connotations, scientific system, and original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization
Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is a vital component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is a major achievement of combining the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture [1]. It has elevated our Party’s understanding of the laws governing ecological civilization construction to a new height, providing a fundamental guideline for comprehensively advancing the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature through the construction of a Beautiful China. The Selected Works offer a full reflection of the rich connotations, scientific system, and significant original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization.
It fully reflects how Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization is rooted in the Marxist intellectual tradition regarding the relationship between humanity and nature, while achieving innovative development on this basis. General Secretary Xi Jinping has clearly stated: "To study Marx, one must study and practice Marxist thought on the relationship between humanity and nature." Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization closely integrates Marxist thought on the relationship between humanity and nature and the dialectical unity between production and ecology with the practice of China's ecological civilization construction. It profoundly reveals that Chinese-path modernization is the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature. It emphasizes that our country cannot follow the old path of Western modernization—pollution first, treatment later. Instead, we must prioritize ecology and green development, following a path of civilized development characterized by increased production, affluent living, and a sound ecosystem, thereby achieving the advancement with the times of Marxist thought on the relationship between humanity and nature. The Selected Works emphasize that "the modernization we seek to build is one of harmony between humanity and nature; it must both create more material and spiritual wealth to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life and provide more high-quality ecological products to meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a beautiful environment." Furthermore, "we would rather have lucid waters and lush mountains than mountains of gold and silver, for lucid waters and lush mountains are themselves mountains of gold and silver" [2]. The proposal of such landmark concepts as "harmony between humanity and nature" and "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" has not only promoted the Sinicized transformation and contemporary evolution of Marxist ecological civilization theory but has also become the core theoretical expression of contemporary Chinese Marxism and 21st-century Marxism in the field of ecological civilization construction.
It fully demonstrates that Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization deeply integrates and develops the core connotations of fine traditional Chinese ecological culture. The Chinese civilization, with more than five thousand years of historical accumulation, has nurtured profound ecological wisdom: from the practical proposition in the I Ching to "regulate the path of heaven and earth and assist in what is appropriate to heaven and earth" [3], to the conservation concept proposed in Xunzi that "when the plants and trees are in the splendor of their flowering and fruiting, the axe must not enter the mountains and forests, so as not to prematurely end their lives or cut off their growth" [4]. These ideas all demonstrate the Chinese nation's value orientation of respecting and loving nature, as well as the spiritual core of traditional ecological wisdom such as "the unity of heaven and humanity" and "the Way follows nature." The Selected Works emphasize "adhering to the systemic thought that mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands are a life community" and that "if humanity does not fail the lush mountains, the lush mountains will surely not fail humanity." Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization systematically absorbs the intellectual essence and cultural genes of fine traditional Chinese ecological culture, clearly emphasizing that we must uphold the basic principles of respecting, conforming to, and protecting nature. It practices a path of civilized development defined by productive development, affluent life, and sound ecology, and comprehensively advances the process of modernization characterized by harmony between humanity and nature through the construction of a Beautiful China. This theoretical innovation not only continues the spiritual lineage of fine traditional Chinese ecological culture but also endows it with brand-new contemporary significance that meets today’s developmental needs.
It profoundly elucidates the core concepts and strategic paths of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization regarding the construction of a socialist ecological civilization in the New Era. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, facing new situations and tasks in the field of ecological civilization construction, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has injected new contemporary meaning into ecological civilization construction with a brand-new vision, cognition, and philosophy. This has driven the formation and continuous enrichment of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, raising the CPC’s understanding of the laws of ecological civilization construction to a new height. The Selected Works point out that "we must firmly establish a socialist outlook on ecological civilization, promote green development, focus on solving prominent environmental problems, increase the protection of ecosystems, reform the environmental supervision system, and promote the formation of a new pattern of modernization where humanity and nature develop in harmony." As an organic integration of epistemology, axiology, and methodology in the field of ecological civilization, the Selected Works aggregate the experience gained through struggle by the CPC in its practice of ecological civilization construction. They also mark the latest achievements in theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation in the construction of a socialist ecological civilization.
2. Vividly presenting the formation and development of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization
For a nation to stand at the forefront of the times, it cannot do without the support of theoretical thinking, nor can it do without the guidance of correct thought. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has vigorously promoted theoretical, practical, and institutional innovation in ecological civilization. It has proposed a series of new concepts, new ideas, and new strategies, leading to historic, transformative, and systemic changes in China's ecological civilization construction from theory to practice. Along with the continuous advancement of practice, the gradual deepening of theoretical research, and the constant expansion of institutional innovation, the theoretical connotations of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization have been continuously enriched and perfected. The Selected Works vividly present this process of formation and development.
This process crystallizes a profound sentiment for the people, adhering to the supremacy of the people and a people-centered approach. Consistently maintaining the standpoint of the people is the core essence of the CPC’s ideals and beliefs, its value pursuit, its fundamental orientation, and the key source of its strength. Ecological environmental issues are not only major political issues concerning the Party’s mission and purpose but also important social issues affecting the people’s well-being. The Selected Works point out that "a good ecological environment is the most universal benefit to people’s well-being" and that "winning the tough battle against pollution is a major event concerning the vital interests of the Chinese people and an inevitable choice for building a Beautiful China." Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization runs through with the people-centered development philosophy, emphasizing the practical requirements of benefiting and serving the people through ecology. It focuses on solving prominent environmental problems that harm the health of the masses, continuously meeting the people's demand for an increasingly beautiful ecological environment. Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization reflects both the CPC’s consistent value orientation of putting the people first and the political stance and value goals of socialist ecological civilization construction; it is the specific practice and vivid manifestation of the Party's governance philosophy in the ecological field.
This process fully verifies that green development is the defining feature of high-quality development. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has consistently insisted on implementing protection requirements within the development process and promoting the development process within ecological protection. It has provided solid support for high-quality development through high-level ecological environmental protection. This practical process fully verifies that green development is the defining feature of high-quality development, and that new quality productive forces are themselves a form of productive forces imbued with green attributes. The Selected Works emphasize that "high-quality development and high-level protection complement and reinforce each other" and that "green development is the backdrop of high-quality development, and new quality productive forces are themselves green productive forces." These scientific conclusions profoundly explain the internal unity between ecological protection and the development of productive forces, emphasizing that we must implement the new development philosophy completely, accurately, and comprehensively. We must unswervingly follow the path of prioritizing ecology and green development and solidly advance ecological environmental protection work. This development approach provides important guidance for ecological civilization construction and has successfully explored an effective path to reshape the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, and between society and nature.
This process fully demonstrates the legal concept of adhering to the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law to protect the ecological environment. As a vital support for regulating fundamentals and ensuring long-term stability, institutions play an irreplaceable role in ecological civilization construction. The Selected Works point out that "only by implementing the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law can we provide reliable protection for ecological civilization construction." Since the 18th CPC National Congress, China has incorporated content related to ecological civilization construction into the Constitution and promulgated a "strictest in history" Environmental Protection Law. This has driven the transformation of ecological civilization construction from the rectification of key areas to a systemic governance model, from passive responses to environmental problems to proactive ecological protection, and from being a participant to a leader in global environmental governance, providing solid institutional support for the in-depth advancement of ecological protection work.
3. Continuously strengthening the formidable capabilities for ecological civilization construction in the New Era
Facing the future, we need to study and utilize the Selected Works as an authoritative textbook, deeply implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, and continue to make efforts in the two dimensions of deepening theoretical study and strengthening practical transformation. Through high-level protection of the ecological environment, we must effectively promote high-quality economic and social development, meet the people’s needs for a better life, and comprehensively advance the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature through the construction of a Beautiful China.
Adhering to the Party’s leadership over ecological civilization construction is the fundamental guideline for advancing the construction of a Beautiful China and must be unswervingly implemented. Thought is the prerequisite and guide for action, and leadership at the ideological level is of paramount importance. We must deepen the study and education of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization to guide the broad ranks of cadres and the masses to study and grasp its profound connotations, thereby effectively enhancing their initiative and consciousness in political, ideological, and practical efforts to build a Beautiful China. We must give full play to the Party's core leadership role in overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties, effectively mobilizing the enthusiasm of all sectors of society to participate in ecological protection, and promoting the formation of a favorable situation of working together for common construction and shared benefits. Regarding organizational construction, the primary-level Party organizations, as important fighting forces in ecological civilization construction, should further strengthen themselves and highlight their key role in ecological governance. Simultaneously, we should optimize the selection and appointment of cadres, striving to cultivate a team of ecological environmental protection professionals who possess firm political stances, superb professional capabilities, a solid work style, and the courage to take on responsibilities.
Adhering to a systemic outlook and using it as a guide to advance ecological civilization construction as a whole means treating this construction process as an organically unified systemic project. In practice, we must apply systemic thinking and strengthen the systemic integration of all aspects. Handling the relationship between the whole and the parts is a key link. This requires that when formulating national ecological protection strategies and plans, we must build the overall framework for China's ecological protection and restoration from a macro perspective, while also taking measures suited to local conditions based on the actual status of different regions, thereby enhancing the precision and practical effectiveness of ecological protection actions. In handling the relationship between the present and the long term, we must both base ourselves on the present—engaging in the tough battle against pollution with a high sense of urgency and increasing efforts in key tasks such as steadily improving air quality, inspecting and rectifying sewage outlets into rivers and seas, and preventing soil pollution at the source, so that the public can truly feel the positive changes in the environment—and look to the future, increasing financial investment and scientific research to actively develop renewable energy and solve environmental problems caused by energy consumption at the source. Regarding the relationship between the general and the specific, we must extract universal laws from ecological protection work and organize principles and methods that can be widely applied, while also implementing targeted governance measures for emerging fields and key links.
Relying on the strictest systems and the most rigorous rule of law to protect the ecological environment has as its core the use of institutions and the rule of law as fundamental safeguards. Institutions must become a rigid constraint that cannot be overstepped, and the rule of law must become a high-voltage line that cannot be touched. Improving legislation is the foundational link; we need to strengthen top-level design, build a systematic, comprehensive, scientific, standardized, and effective legal system, and focus on the connection, cooperation, and synergy between different laws and regulations. At the same time, we must enhance the targeting and operability of systems for emerging categories and prominent problems in the field of ecological protection. Strict law enforcement is a key measure. We must increase enforcement in the ecological environment field, improving the professional level of enforcement teams through regular business training, case studies, and practical drills to ensure that various laws and systems are truly implemented and play their due roles. Fair justice is an important guarantee. We must give full play to the functions of judicial organs, increasing the intensity of punishment for illegal and criminal acts that pollute the environment and destroy the ecology, thus providing solid judicial support for ecological protection. Universal law-abidingness is the social foundation. Through various forms of publicity activities, exposing typical illegal cases, and popularizing legal knowledge related to ecological protection, we should guide the whole of society to form a favorable atmosphere of respecting and abiding by the law.